Tag Archives: Shakespeare

Ever hear of Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825)? He was an English physician and philanthropist who once published The Family Shakespeare, an expurgated edition of the Bard’s works edited by his sister, Henrietta Maria Bowdler. The Bowdlers’ object was to produce an edition of Shakespeare that could be read “without incurring the danger of falling unawares among words and expressions which are of such a nature as to raise a blush on the cheek of modesty.” Thus, Lady Macbeth’s cry of “Out, damned spot!” was refined to “Out, crimson spot!” and “God!” as an exclamation was replaced by “Heavens!”

“You may partake of anything we say. We speak no treason, man.” — Shakespeare, Richard III

Sometime next year, more than half a millennium after he was killed by the forces of Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth, King Richard III of England will finally receive a proper royal interment at Leicester Cathedral. His bones have recently been recovered and identified, and his fans are raising money to erect a handsome tomb.

For Halloween, I have an unusual sort of ghost story to share. Appropriately enough for the season, it deals with costumes – the theatrical costumes of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln.

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Quote of the Day

“We return you now to the stars, Leonard [Nimoy]. You taught us to ‘Live Long And Prosper,’ and you indeed did, friend. I shall miss you in so many, many ways.”

-George Takei, American actor, director, political activist, and social media sensation – known for his role as Sulu on Star Trek. On the death of fellow Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy. Facebook, February 27, 2015

Our daily quotes are provided by American University's Simpson Fellows who continue the mission of Reverend James B. Simpson on contemporaryquotations.org